A message sent to heaven from two young sisters in Texas may have taken a detour, but it was definitely received by their late father.
Seven-year-old Gypsy Rettig and her six-year-old sister Story lost their father last year and for the second straight year, they celebrated his birthday by tying a message to a balloon and sending it off to heaven. They were hoping to get a response and they did.
The balloon never actually made it to heaven, but it did land four miles away in Lance Donahue's yard.
Donahue read the letters from the girls and immediately believed he was destined to receive it.
The letter read, "Dear Dad, we want to go up with you. We miss you so much. We want to go and hug you and do all of the things you do." Gypsy’s note read, "Dear Daddy, I miss you so much. If you get this balloon then you are the best. I love you and Story too. Please watch over me and everyone in the family."
Sadly, a couple of months ago, Story started experiencing seizures and has been diagnosed with epilepsy. Donahue found out about this, so after the balloon landed in his yard, he decided to do something to help Story.
Donahue started a GoFundMe campaign to help the girls' mother pay Story's medical bills. He's also trying to raise enough money to buy Story an epileptic service dog.
The girls' mother, Tori Western, says she has no doubt that the balloon made it to Donahue for a reason.
She says, "I'd have to say it was definitely their dad looking over them. There's no doubt in my mind."